Rover P6 vs Rover SD1 V8 - Old Rover CAN Learn New Tricks!

[@MotoMark55]

P6 for me. Dad owned a car repair business in Newcastle when I was young. He owned a succession of fairly humdrum 4 cylinder family cars in the 70s. One day he was asked to deliver two P6 V8's back to a husband & wife in Northumberland after carrying some minor work on them. He took me along for the ride. It was my first ever ride in a V8 & I was dumbstruck. Loved them ever since 😍

[@K1lostream]

P6 for me too - my earliest car memory is the well-off neighbour across the street from my parents house had the V8 P6, and he’d had a full stainless exhaust put on it - I was too young to know any of that detail at the time (my dad filled me in later) but that was the first time I realised a car could make a sound that I loved. It was loud but not crazy loud, and it had this deep, burbling rumble. I’ve never owned a Rover, or anything with a V8 in it, but I’ve always gone after cars that sound good, and that P6 sowed the seed.

[@marc80sroverfan95]

I am biased as a SD1 owner but I also like and deeply respect the older ones like the P5 and P6. Nice video as always.

[@JohnHoganN8]

Had a SD1 V8 S with the gold wheels which was fabulous.

[@georgedesouza8937]

I always remember an SD1 V8 driving past me when I was 12 at a bus stop in 1986…it was British Racing Green. I thought it looked and sounded amazing. Still remember it to this day

[@alandobson8697]

I purchased a 3 year old 3500VDP around 1987. Loved the car, ran it up to 185,000 miles. Followed it with the latest VDP EFI I could find. This was faster and would average 23MPG! No other cars I have owned since have been a worthy replacement to these special Rovers.

[@PaulMarshall-kp8dz]

Great video. This is how Top Gear used to be before it got silly. Very well told story. Thanks.

[@rockall66]

Yes! Before it became a car show for millionaires.

[@towgod7985]

Not silly,.........just stupid!

[@am19arch]

P6, stylish and authoritative design - timeless

[@kevindoyle5402]

Have loved the SD1 since I was a kid, growing up in the 80's. Still looks fantastic!!

[@jimmyjones9780]

In 1975 my dad bought the new Rover 3500 S in monza red with all the extras .... Simply a wonderful car .... Then in 1995 traded the Rover in for a new W140 Mercedes S class 420 which he kept until he passed away in 2012 .... Another wonderful car which I later sold to a project Mercedes enthusiast.

[@geoffclarke3796]

SD1 for me. A family friend had an SD1 Vitesse when I was a kid in the mid 80's and I just loved this car with its 190 bhp fuel injected V8 and the Ferrari Daytona inspired handling. I like the styling of the P6 and it has the more advanced suspension but there can't have been much wrong with the handing of the SD1 as a motorsport version won the 1984 UK Touring Car Championshi in 1984 in the hands of Andy Rouse.

[@michaelpeacock6360]

Remember as a teenager going to the NEC and seeing a SD1 Vitesse...wowzer

[@Rwswal]

So do I 😊

[@Nite-owl]

Loved all 3 of the SD1's I had in the 80's. Weren't built the best, but they had an undeniable charm.

[@colinhutchinson5282]

One of my abiding memories of my sd1 is how flat it stayed when cornering

[@Jiminidriver]

My late father was Rover Service School Training Manager. My school boy days were filled with many a P5B, P6, P6B and SD1s.. My most abiding memory was a American Spec Lefthand drive P6BS with a 5 speed manual transmission in a really sporty Red colour....all the American market trim and gizmos....What a car....!!

[@davids2350]

Our dads would’ve known each other I’m sure. Mine did a similar role in Scotland before Leyland sent us to Kenya in the 70’s. I remember all those beautiful cars back in the day. I had several trips to the factories in the holidays and now live where one used to be. Absolutely wonderful stuff.

[@RR-kb2ks]

Both lovely - great video, thanks!

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nigelpittam7318]

My Dad had a 3500s followed by 2 SD1s, all manual. He used to let me drive the 3500 as a newly qualified 17 year old and it was fantastic, such great memories. The SD1 never felt as sporty, although it was a great cruiser as you say. the P6 had a lovely short gear shift, and just felt much more compact and tighter. Together with some amazing memories, it’s the P6 for me, but both were great, and reliable, cars. Thanks guys.

[@rxj1]

Rover SD1 for me, but I’m biased as I own two of these cars. 😊

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Great taste!

[@richardstarkess7595]

At twenty two I head a 200TC P6. I loved it. All my mates had Minis or Austin eleven or thirteen hundreds. P6 was king. Sold it to by my first house! Later on, I've had two SD1s, a "2600 S" and a "2600 VDP." If I had to choose one, it would be the SD1 "VDP". Happy days when motoring was so innocent 😊

[@AledPritchard]

You’ve got a habit of making videos which makes choosing the winning car very difficult. I love them both. If I had to choose… I can’t. Great video as per guys. ❤

[@-DC-]

Always loved the SD1 but when you read the magazine long term tests in Period they must have been infuriating to own, The P6 needs no excuses for design or quality it's just a fantastic car.

[@jimmyjones9780]

A first-class presentation by two talented presenters.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Thanks Jimmy!

[@matthewkite1]

My dad had a p6 in royal blue amazing car loved the V8 Burble as a kid

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

What a car to ride to school in!

[@steveboatronics]

Love your first class presentations, fellas; always level, considered and highly watchable! 👌

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Much appreciated!

[@richardshearwoodport]

I ran several P6s in the '80s, including the 2000, 2000 TC, 2200 TC and 3500. The most fun to drive was a 1965 2000 TC, which was the road-going version of the Monte Carlo rally car. Super handling and very controllable in a drift. So far as a comparison between he P6 3500 and SD1 3500 goes - I remember a conversation with a Police pursuit driver, who said that, if he was after a villain, he'd choose the P6.

[@robertyork4041]

I loved my 2000 TC and agree 100% about its ability to flatter the driver with its willingness to drift on (and off) roundabouts, but always in a controllable way.

[@usx06240]

Me too. In the US. Favorite car I ever owned.

[@justas525]

SD1 for me definetely. That styling is timeless. David Bache did an excellent job especially in series 1 guise. It looks so pure interior such a minimalist, but yet it looks so inviting and comfortable

[@winstonbeckford785]

My friend had the P6, I had the SD1, loved them both

[@pedward1313]

I would love to have them both. When I was younger I would always go for the SD1 (3500 V8 Vitesse), but now I’m over 50 I think it has to be the P6 (but only in 3500 V8 guise). Great video guys!

[@EvilUnderTone]

I sold them both out of a London showroom in the 80s. I'd have the P6 every time. In fact I have! I own a 76 V8 P6 that I've covered 50,000 "trouble free" miles in. Bet not many SD1 owners can say the same. The P6 was designed by Rover. The SD1 was designed by BL. My father drove them both for the Met Police. His and most ex police drivers I've spoken with preferred the P6 to the SD1. You make your choices.

[@fredlenz4743]

Nothing beats a Rover P6

[@57northphoto32]

“Sided with the Princess” if you’d said that at the beginning I’d have switched off straight away 🤣🤣🤣, either or for me, they’re both fantastic cars. Great video btw👍🏻.

[@paulowen-iy6vm]

I had 3 Rover SDI1's and even today theres nothing i have driven that has the same feeling. An M5 is close, but just not as good. These were just brilliant to drive. Esp the V8. The video explain it well. Your mum could drive it around feel very relaxed or they could fly down the road, and also sounded great tooAnd they looked stunning too. Yes the build wasnt brilliant but the driving expweraince was. Unless you have driven one this is hard to explain., they were just so nice to drive. The police loved them so much they stock plied them when production ended. That tells a lot.

[@brianbarker6611]

P6 for me. Last proper rover. And about time they getting publicised for how good they are. Get one now whilst they are affordable because the 3500 and 3500s are climbing in value quite quickly. Great video

[@ukrestorevival]

Love this! Tough choice as always.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

It really is!

Fantastic video featuring two of my absolute favourite cars ever made! Interestingly, Rover tried to develope an inline 5 for the P5 but it was scrapped due to issues with carburation. I suppose not surprisingly they didn't want to go with a carb per cylinder but scavenging issues were aplenty from using single or even twin carbs. How cool would a burbling, howling straight five would have been!

[@alanchurchill7305]

Had both of them loved them both.

[@johnnorman7044]

i have had a P6b i have had and have a SD1 V8 and have a 820turbo and out of them i would have the SD1 any time it just is a out and out drivers car it's just so so good and the sound track full fat V8 is to die for !

[@paulf9487]

I remember the headmistress at my primary school in the early 70s had a P6, a yellowey beige colour I seem to recall.

[@billsinclair6515]

lest we forget, the SD1 was European Car of the year 1977

[@RobertDore-w4l]

I remember it well. Why Rover didn't kick on after that is a dammed shame indeed.

[@willlucy5810]

Or that the Rover P6 won the very first European car of the year award in 1964…

[@bryandeacon9404]

At the age of 20 in 1979 I bought my bosses 1974 P6 3500S white, black leather interior. Virtually a day passes without my reminiscing and wishing I had kept it. A truly fantastic car in every respect. I've grown to really like the P5 but P6 3500S is my all time classic.

[@WolfiePeters]

Having driven both and owned a P6, it's not an easy choice, but I'll go for the P6 3500 V8. Still Walkinshaw managed to win the European and British touring car championships with the SD1 and that was pretty well at the end of its production run.

[@paulelverstone8677]

I'm a big SD1 fan - no more so than of the Vitesse twin plenum. I'd have one tomorrow and would forgive it (almost) everything...

[@leighscott9606]

P6 2litre was one of the first cars I ever drove. My Dad had one. He hit a Ford Falcon with it and the front crumple zone with the engine going underneath saved him- not even a scratch.The Falcon was a wreck from one end to the other. It was a solid and very comfortable car and the best car he ever owned - better even than his later Volvos.

[@hpoonis2010]

I liked the SD1 because it was VAST inside. Just so much space.

[@tonyschockaert2478]

Lets say, I'm a lucky guy to own not only a P6B from 1976 (23 years), but also the french equivalent of the SD1, namely a Citroen CX Prestige injection from 1978 (for 6 years) . They are both conic cars and a joy to drive them.

[@deansawyer3575]

A genuine and fair appraisal of both these classic Rovers, both way ahead of their time and still valid today. The build quality of the P6 was far superior to the SD1, I have to say ,having owned both models in the 70's, but the SD1 was so much more spacious. The magic of both cars was the pairing with the fabulous V8, particularly with an automatic box. If I was to choose between the two, it would probably be the P6, but tomorrow I might change my mind, it's really that difficult.

[@Cornishlandcrab]

Fascinating. I run a white P6B (1963 Car of the year) and a Wolseley 18/85S (Landcrab - 1964 Car of the year) and struggle to choose which one to take out as IMHO they are both fabulous. More recent cars are safer in a crash (but not a lot) and have much better fuel economy but after those 2 factors give me these 60 year old designs every day.

[@GrotrianSeiler]

The P6 is the easy winner but I could be happy with either of them. Both feel special.

[@vincentsmith8345]

Great video, we must however when making these videos think about how we talk about the Sd1 build quality, all cars built late 70s had there own issues, however later Sd1s didn't suffer as the early cars did through the BL strikes.

[@itspart]

I worked in a car spares company in the mid 80's as a delivery driver. I smashed the van so the Boss let me use his SD1 VItesse as the company van. Needless to say I drove it like I stole it all around Bradford delivering parts to workshop garages. I was only 19.. Happy days

[@peterriggall8409]

The P6 is my number one favourite car but……in Vitesse FI manual form I wound be sorely tempted. Great video thanks Joe and Phil. Have passed video on to Rover Car Club Aus. As I did your last one too.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Thanks Peter, appreciate your support as always! :)

[@TheSimonhammond]

Yes I see both sides....but the SD1 went touring car racing and went rallying and was piloted by Tony Pond....it was on the original Professionals, mostly everyone's dad had one. The VP is my go to SD1.

[@fasthracing]

Showing my age, but remember tipping up at Kennings BL dealership in Buxton to see the the then brand new SD1 in my fathers P6 3500 V8S. The SD1 looked like a space ship in comparison to the P6. The thing I remember most was the box like dashboard.

[@terryramsey1470]

I love both of these motor's had the pleasure of driving both my old man loved them too he preferred the p6 happy days thanks for the lovely trip down memory lane 😊 ❤

[@johanslabbert2869]

Ah yes, my two favourite presenters on this channel. What a treat!

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Thanks Johan! -Joe & Phil

[@martindehavilland-fox3175]

SD1 for me any day! We had several over the years, one after the other. The ultimate two were both VdP EFi versions. If I could find a left-hooker, as I live in Spain, I'd buy a good example tomorrow!

[@minimaxi802]

The Rover SD1 was initially launched in 1976 with the 3500 engine only, 2300 and 2600 came a year later, a large hatchback, but the interior unlike the P6 had no wood or leather or even a Rover badge on the steering wheel. Its replacement was the 800 series both saloon and hatchback.

[@grimbusa]

SD1 had wood and leather 😉

[@minimaxi802]

@@grimbusa Early cars 1976-81 did not

[@banyanvillaskohsamui9409]

I grew up with both, my Dad's cars, from 1966 until the end of the SD1. Very difficult to choose, but on balance P6. Has to be the V8. Now I live in Thailand, would love to find one here!

[@alfagtvjan]

Love the alloys on the P6

[@shanecollie5177]

I had a p6b 3500, and would like to have another, and will do one of these years. however i currently have a 1985 SD1 vandenplas manual with a bored & stroked v8 (4.6 litre). The SD1 is just so much more useable as a regularly driven car.

[@jagolago-bob]

I can't decide. I love both cars.

[@JohnH-UK958]

I had a P6 V8 auto when I as a student and for some reason that I never established, it didn't have the reserve lever and being a poor student I quite regularly ran out of fuel. It took me a few occasions of this to realise I had to put two gallons in before it would start again 🙄 It was thirsty though and I remember one specific occasion in the early eighties when I had an early Monday morning drive up the A1 to get back for work and somehow got into a 'convoy' with (I think) a BMW 5 series and possibly a Vauxhall Carlton. As the speeds increased between the roundabouts I could actually see the needle of the fuel gauge move on its path ever downwards. A subsequent calculation reckoned on about 13 mpg!

[@shankarbalan3813]

SD1 - Superb looker. And must have been terrific with that big V8…

[@sugarnads]

That 'big (lol) V8' made a tiny bit more power than most french 2.2 litre 4s. They were dog slow.

[@shankarbalan3813]

@ but they sounded good with headers and a free flow exhaust etc

[@grimbusa]

@@sugarnads7.1 to 60 dog slow? 😮

[@sugarnads]

@grimbusa having driven a NEW v8 sd1 vandenplas i can assure you it would only do 7.1sec 0-100kph if pushed off a cliff. Maybe a vitesse. A 2litre renault 20 was faster. And didnt fall apart if you looked at it.

[@sugarnads]

@@shankarbalan3813 sure. Most v8s do.

[@stevieboyNI]

Two beautiful cars, i honestly couldn't pick between them. Thanks for this great vid lads.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Our pleasure!

[@3ducs]

In 1967 I was shopping for my first car. I test drove a Volvo 544, the model with the funky pre-war styling, and a Rover 2000TC, the American version of the 2 liter model. I liked both those cars, was really impressed with the Rover's braking and cornering. I eventually bought a 1963 Alfa Romeo 1600 Sprint Normale, the first of many Alfas to come. Still, I've always liked the Rovers, though I don't think I would've been tempted by one with that orange cloth interior.

[@andrewalmeida3029]

Two of my favourite cars. Absolutely brilliant!

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Couldn't agree more!

[@Mr.Wrong1]

Same here. Lament Rovers passing. Loved those old cars.

[@WalterD-r2x]

I had a 1968 P6 SC Automatic for 5 years and it was a bit of a dog. I have a 1962 P5 automatic now and have owned it for 13 years and love it. BUT.......I would love an SD1. The Vitesse is probably out of my range, but a 3500 automatic would fit the bill. I live in Canada, so there aren't that many good examples coming up for sale, mores the pity. A great comparison from you two, well done.

[@daveeverett5538]

I had the SD1 3500 Automatic. The best car I've ever seen and driven. I think it saved Rover, but in my opinion it came out too early with it's design. I would love to own another beauty.

[@opelmonzagse]

Love the SD1 having owned an 81 V8 VDP, but for me the P6 is the epitome of Rover Car Co Ltd Lode Lane, Solihull, Warwickshire. England !!

[@williamjohnson4985]

I had all 3 engine sizes, and I loved the car's i wish I had one know ❤

[@jackjacko8706]

I have owned both models, and regret selling either. My SD1 Series two 1986 being the last model was a joy to drive long distances . But the P6 was really suited to windy roads and with the De Doin rear suspension giving a sense of security. As a side note the SD1 is the only car I have driven at over 200 klm per hour. No wonder the Police in the U K loved them.

[@roygardiner2229]

I loved the video: both cars are smashing. As an older chap the Rover P6 is more "from my youthful era". Actually, I always knew them (with that body shape), erroneously, to be Rover 2000s. The styling pleases my eye very much. What's more the interior too is lovely. I noticed that even the rear seats look to be very comfortable. As for the SD1, I like it but I don't LOVE it. It somehow always makes me think of the police. Maybe it scares me a bit. Thanks again for your very enjoyable presentation. 👍

[@sthelenshistorychannel]

Vitesse, all day - TP version was the pinnacle of Rover cars.

[@Simont6.0]

The SD1 in the video has the TP fitted but a B plate...a bit early?? and the cills are black..should be body colour

[@andrewscott5713]

I was always a fan of Rovers, and particularly any of the V8's. I bought a P6 3500S in 1984, and loved that car, despite struggling to keep fuel in it on an apprentice's wage, so eventually it had to go for something more economical. Then later in life, having worked with an older chap who had an immaculate red Rover SD1 Vitesse, as in your video, I went out and bought a red manual SD1 3500 VDP. Lovely car, beautiful lines and styling, but for me the P6 was the better engineered and more unique car.

[@DavidGloyne-vf9sv]

Got to be the P6, had an Mreg, 2200TC, great car.

[@peterbradburn9115]

Had an old banger of an SD1. Was only the straight six 2600, but could shift. And the handling was surprisingly good, at least compared to the old Cortinas and Granadas I'd had before. No doubt the P6 the better car, but th SD1 was a beast of a motor. Loved it

[@philiptheoret9311]

I Brought a p6 v8! When I was 18 years old back in 1980s! You could buy these cars and insure them cheap! I loved that car wish I still had it! It was like new when I bought off an old guy!!! Just a great car!!!!!

[@deansawyer3575]

I remember that they were not particularly cheap to insure, particularly if you were only 18.

[@bobhodes2259]

The p6 for me ! In my young timestamp iliked him it was my favoriet saloon

[@MatthewSmith-j1l]

Love the SD1 and coveted my neighbours SD1 Vitesse (D reg). If only it had been given a De Dion axle as originally planned it would have put Rover up there with BMW.

[@chrislane3974]

A later P6 V8 auto (as shown) vs a late SD1 Vanden Plas EFi well there's a challenge! The P6 fits like a nice well tailored suit.

[@shirleyboy8859]

Never driven a P6 but would like to.... My first SD1(first of 6) was a white one, and back in the early 80`s BSC ( before speed cameras ) I used the M1 a lot, Family in Yorkshire, work in Surrey.... I loved how other drivers would pull out of the way when they saw a White SD1 approaching at speed.... Must have thought it was a Police car.... Great Fun..... But it meant I could have a drink at lunch time, nip down to Surrey and be back in time for the Evening session........ Different/Better times........ :-)) xxx

[@michaellavictoire1384]

P6 for me, although the SD1 was a great looking car

[@macerwicker3102]

I loved my SD1, it also used to be my dads. A777OCX if anyone know where it is.

[@davemckewan4450]

Going to be a bit biased and say the SD1. I had one for a year or so. I also had the V8, later, in my LR Discovery 2.

[@giulianomarco]

Anyone else fancy a jam sandwich? 😁👍

[@frankyork5808]

Rover P5B Coupe is the most beautifully styled of the three.

[@BlackBuck777]

Had a 1968 P6 with 176 bhp and another 1973 with emissions strangled 155 bhp, so I swapped engines into the newer car!. P6 was immensely strong and saved me in a head on collision - with another P6. Fun fact, the Rover gas turbine lived on - it was used as an engine starter for Vulcan bombers. (BTW - is your P6 steering wheel not bent? looks odd when you twirl it.)

[@john1703]

In 1963, the P6 had a 2 litre 4 cylinder engine, which competed with the 6 cylinder Triumph 2000. The P6B did not arrive until 1968.

[@ukrobh]

My father replaces a Jag 340 with a V8 P6. I got to drive both. The P6 was LIGHT years better than the Jag. More power and more pace. Better cornering and the stability under powerful braking with the innovative extensive safety features built in gave reassurance that this car could take car of you. Despite the fact it was in 1969 it still ranks amongst the best cars I have driven

[@Eric_L456]

Tough choice. Loved my Dad’s 2000TC (NAO743F where are you now?) but a friend had a series of V8 SD1 s which were fantastic. A dead heat ?

[@saxonuk14]

I loved the P6 when I was a child, always nagging my father to buy one (though he never did). I remember hating the look of the SD1 when it came out as the replacement. The SD1 has aged well as a look, so I now quite like it, but I still love the P6. The emotional memories are too strong.

[@carguyuk7525]

I had a few sd1 vitesse's. Brilliant car but so incredibly difficult to keep working. There was always something to fix. Eventually rust gets the best of it. I had a vitesse auto but i did modify it to a manual.

[@Richard-Bullock]

When I was a boy in the 1980's, my dad had a 1976 P6 3500 S which he put a 5 speed SD1 manual gearbox in, and a 1983 SD1 3500 SE manual. I simply cannot choose between them. If money allowed me to do so, I would very gladly have one of each. In the 1990's one of my neighbours had a very, very rare SD1 2400 SD Turbo Diesel. I would love to find one of those now.

[@bencalvy1542]

Love them both but the P6 without a doubt for me❤

[@TheLemon777]

Have you seen the film called IN TIME. pretty sure there are a P6 or two in there. Like Gattaca with the cabrio DS.

[@herme99]

My Dad had a brown P6 in the early 70s, when I was very young. I don’t remember travelling in it unfortunately. After that he got a Citroen, and then in the 1980s we moved to Singapore, and he imported a new red SD1 3500, which was the only one in the country at the time I think. The import tax was horrendous even back then.

[@YangGQ]

I can assure you the import taxes are worse now! But now! if your SD1 is 35 years old (as they all are) - you can import it into Singapore! But you do still have to pay 100% import tax and 20% customs duty and a $11,000 extra fee for the COE.

[@Oceans_Sail]

I had the successor to the SD1 - the Honda derived 2 litre thingy. It is memorable simply for the fact that I can’t remember a single thing about it except that it was white. For me P6 and P5 V8s get my vote. Great cars.

[@TheStobb50]

I still think the SD1 is the best looking 4 door car ever built period

[@ijoseluis]

Both. Wonderful card.

[@andrewdenby8239]

P6 was always a car of fascination when I was growing up, SD1s are, in my experience, nothing but trouble...

[@SabotsLibres]

The 2000 arrived in 1963 - the 3500 didn't truly arrive on the market until nearly 5 years later, after the P5B was launched... and the deep grill did not feature on the original 2000 nor the later 2200 models; it was 3500 specific